Cessna 172N Safety Record

Complete NTSB accident and incident history. 1178 events recorded from 1982 to 2025.

1178

All Events

709

Incidents

180

Minor

90

Serious

197

Fatal (403 fatalities)

Date Location Reg# Severity Damage Probable Cause
Dec 29, 2003 Angels Camp, CA N461BD Incident substantial
the CFI's inadequate compensation for a crosswind condition, which resulted in the loss of directional control. The crosswind and wind gusts were fac…

the CFI's inadequate compensation for a crosswind condition, which resulted in the loss of directional control. The crosswind and wind gusts were factors.

Dec 08, 2003 Snelling, CA N739SU Incident substantial The total loss of engine power due to oil starvation caused by the failure of the engine driven oil pump.
Dec 04, 2003 Nogales, AZ N5216J Incident substantial The student pilot's improper recovery from a bounced landing and his failure to maintain directional control.
Nov 10, 2003 Mannheim, GE N6473D Incident substantial Investigation pending
Nov 09, 2003 Winslow, AZ N75816 Incident substantial the pilot's misjudged landing flare, which resulted in a pilot induced porpoise oscillation and hard landing.
Oct 25, 2003 Fresno, CA N738YL Incident substantial
the pilot's inadequate fuel management, which resulted in fuel starvation and a loss of engine power. Also causal was the pilot's failure to follow e…

the pilot's inadequate fuel management, which resulted in fuel starvation and a loss of engine power. Also causal was the pilot's failure to follow engine out emergency procedures as defined by the pilot operating handbook.

Oct 21, 2003 Melbourne, FL N734JT Incident substantial
Inadvertent full retraction of the flaps, while recovering from a bounced landing, resulting in an inadvertent stall, uncontrolled descent, and subseq…

Inadvertent full retraction of the flaps, while recovering from a bounced landing, resulting in an inadvertent stall, uncontrolled descent, and subsequent impact with terrain.

Sep 21, 2003 Pahrump, NV N6548D Incident substantial
the pilot's failure to maintain altitude/clearance from the mountainous terrain while maneuvering, which resulted in an in-flight collision with terra…

the pilot's failure to maintain altitude/clearance from the mountainous terrain while maneuvering, which resulted in an in-flight collision with terrain.

Jul 20, 2003 Livermore, CA N73857 Incident substantial The pilot's misjudged landing flare, which resulted in a porpoise pilot induced oscillation and hard landing.
Jun 27, 2003 Romeo, MI N739NW Incident substantial The pilot not maintaining directional control during landing. A factor to the accident was the parked airplane.
Jun 14, 2003 Anoka, MN N2238E Incident substantial
The pilot's failure to attain the proper touchdown point, and his failure to maintain directional control. Contributing factors were the pilot's lac…

The pilot's failure to attain the proper touchdown point, and his failure to maintain directional control. Contributing factors were the pilot's lack of experience, and the runway sign.

Jun 01, 2003 Clearwater, FL N9758G Incident substantial
the pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll, which resulted in the airplane departing the runway, and impacting with t…

the pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll, which resulted in the airplane departing the runway, and impacting with trees.

May 30, 2003 Orangeburg, SC N734AG Incident destroyed
The pilot's continued operation of the airplane with known deficiencies in the equipment. Also causal was the other maintenance personnel's improper i…

The pilot's continued operation of the airplane with known deficiencies in the equipment. Also causal was the other maintenance personnel's improper installation of the mixture control linkage bolt that resulted in binding of the mixture control linkage and the post-landing fire.

Apr 11, 2003 Carbondale, IL N6317D Incident substantial The pilot failed to properly recover from a bounced landing which resulted in the airplane porpoising.
Apr 10, 2003 Foxworth, MS N738QM Incident substantial
The failure of the pilot to perform a go-around, his failure to attain the proper touchdown point, and his delay in applying the normal brakes resulti…

The failure of the pilot to perform a go-around, his failure to attain the proper touchdown point, and his delay in applying the normal brakes resulting in his inability to stop the airplane and subsequent on-ground collision with a fence.

Apr 05, 2003 Anaheim, CA N6272D Incident substantial
Failure of company maintenance personnel to correctly install and safety wire the oil drain plug, which led to a loss of engine oil and a catastrophic…

Failure of company maintenance personnel to correctly install and safety wire the oil drain plug, which led to a loss of engine oil and a catastrophic internal failure of the engine.

Feb 26, 2003 Cincinnati, OH N733XP Incident substantial The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control.
Feb 08, 2003 McMinnville, OR N734KU Incident substantial
The pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions and his failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll. Factors include gusty…

The pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions and his failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll. Factors include gusty crosswinds and soft terrain in the area where the aircraft departed the side of the runway.

Dec 21, 2002 Pacoima, CA N733AM Incident substantial
the student pilot's excessive use of the elevator control that resulted in an inadvertent lift-off and his failure to maintain/attain adequate airspee…

the student pilot's excessive use of the elevator control that resulted in an inadvertent lift-off and his failure to maintain/attain adequate airspeed, which resulted in a stall and hard landing.

Dec 06, 2002 Cartersville, GA N5891E Incident substantial The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control, during the landing roll resulted in the on ground collision with a ravine.
Dec 04, 2002 Holland, MI N5321D Incident substantial
The student pilot failed to maintain directional control during landing roll. Additional factors include the student pilot's lack of total flight exp…

The student pilot failed to maintain directional control during landing roll. Additional factors include the student pilot's lack of total flight experience, the CFI's inadequate supervision, and the ice and snow on the runway.

Nov 28, 2002 Hollister, CA N2423E Incident substantial the pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane.
Oct 24, 2002 Morristown, NJ N4599D Incident substantial The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control during takeoff.
Oct 13, 2002 Pompano Beach, FL N6542J Incident substantial The loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.
Sep 21, 2002 Bumpass, VA N737TG Incident substantial The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing. A factor was the narrow runway width.
Disclaimer: This data is sourced from the NTSB Aviation Accident Database. NTSB events reflect reported accidents and incidents and do not necessarily indicate a defect in the aircraft type. Many events involve pilot error, weather conditions, maintenance issues, or other factors unrelated to the aircraft design. This information is provided for research purposes only — consult official NTSB reports for complete details.
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